Murphy USA Begins Sale of E15 & E85 in Iowa

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Murphy USA Inc. on Wednesday sold E15 and E85 in the state of Iowa for the first time at its Indianola convenience store and gas station at 1502 N. Jefferson St.

The c-store retailer expects to offer both alternative fuels at six additional Iowa locations, located in Clinton, Davenport, Fort Dodge, Mason City, Newton and Sioux City, by the end of this summer. The Indianola location is just the second Murphy USA location to offer E15.

“We are very proud Murphy USA chose to expand its offerings of cleaner-burning ethanol blends in Iowa,” stated Lucy Norton, managing director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. “There is strong collaboration in Iowa for servicing the E15 market, making it an ideal place to offer E15 at multiple locations. When the conversion is complete, motorists in seven large Iowa cities will have easy access to lower-cost, more locally produced ethanol blends.”

E15 is a fuel blend containing 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline. E85 is the opposite blend. It contains 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

In accordance with summer fuel regulations, Murphy USA will initially sell E15 to flex-fuel vehicles only throughout the summer driving season. However, the retailer will offer E15 as a registered fuel to 2001 and newer vehicles starting in mid-September.

“We’re happy to see a major retailer like Murphy USA move their E15 and E85 efforts into Iowa,” said Robert White, director of market development for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. “This should demonstrate to others that the business case for these fuels exists, and that more chains will follow Murphy USA’s lead.”

El Dorado, Ark.-based Murphy USA Inc. operates approximately 1,200 convenience stores and gas stations in 23 states.